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    Harrison Center

    4.9 (28 reviews)
    ModerateArt Galleries
    Open 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

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    George R.

    I don't know how I didn't review this place before. I visited the Harrison Center during a first Friday event two months ago. All I have to say, is that it was a labyrinth of artist studios, with hundreds of people interacting with artists, and even a gymnasium with a live band performing.

    Indy 500 stuff at first Friday
    Mark W.

    Usually I only come here on first Fridays for the art tour. This is a very active art space for both younger and mature artists. All mediums can be found here and special events make every first Friday new and original. Tonight's theme is Food. So local farmers, survival schools, nutritionists and food crafters take center stage. Booths are set up outside and inside through out the space. Many of the art pieces are centered around food as well. We bought goat cheese and green beans that were just picked this morning. It's kind of like a farmers market that educates here tonight. Honey, homemade beer demonstration, and seeds for fall planting. We signed up for the mailings and are now notified by postcard of the first Friday attractions. Look for race themes in May and harvest themes in the fall. They are creative about enticing new visitors to check out all the great offerings here. Back in June, they were teaching swing dancing, so you never can tell what you will see. Come and check it out!!

    Speck Gallery images from the Kyle Ragsdale Retrospective
    Ken N.

    Did you ever have one of those places that seemed to keep popping up in articles you read or heard discussed, but had never found time to visit? Well, the Harrison Center was becoming "that place", so I decided to visit on a winter day. I contacted them ahead of time to arrange for a guided tour (free) since I have heard that that there is a confusing floor plan that may baffle first time visitors. I pulled in off 16th Street into the mid-block parking lot between Delaware and Alabama. Parking is limited when lots of artists are in their studios or the Center is having an event, but because I was going on a chilly afternoon, I was able to grab a spot. Be aware that the Center is made up of three buildings that are linked by basement hallways and multiple stairwells. Some floors are split level (the Gymnasium for example), so if you have mobility concerns, you may need to limit your visit to the two main galleries in the southern building: City Gallery and Speck Gallery. The Harrison Gallery and the Gallery Annex are on the first floor of the northern building, but do not have a ramp to make it up the three steps. If that is not too much climbing, you can approach the northern building via the sidewalks in the courtyard area (exterior). If you want to experience the full exposure to the galleries and studios, take the guided tour. The guide will take a large set of keys which will open the individual studios of the artists so that you can appreciate how each individual arranges their tools of the trade. Note that artists are free to decorate the inside of their studios as they wish and frequently use the wall space in the hallways outside their studios to hang their works, many of which are available for purchase. Since there are many artists with preferences for working all hours of the day and night, you are bound to run into some artists working in their studios when on the tour. If you catch them at an appropriate time, you may be able to engage in a conversation. Just keep in mind that they are there because it is their work time, so brevity is in order. I was able to chat with several, including resident curator Kyle Ragsdale, who has a retrospective featured in the Speck Gallery. I also met William Rasdell, a photographer and digital artist who uses his art to study the effects of migration on culture. Artist Chad Campbell took time to explain his motivations and background leading up to his work with found materials and the use of the familiar to make his art relatable. There were numerous wire art forms arranged outside his studio on the basement level. If you plan on taking the guided tour, please allow yourself time to go back and visit the galleries in greater detail or maybe engage in a conversation or two. You can easily extend a visit from an hour to several if you explore on your own. Review #210

    Brittany L.

    Great art gallery and community space! My first time here was for the May First Friday event, which happened to be the "mandatory" night when ALL the artists had to have their studios open. I thought it was a great experience. Kids were playing outside and people were picnicking on the lawn of this converted church...felt very small town. There were a lot of kids, up through high school, taking in the art alongside us...winding in and out of the basement galleries. Elizabeth Guipe Hall, whose work I just discovered, was having an opening that night and I really enjoyed seeing her Mexico-themed pieces. I'd only seen Indiana pieces up until that point. I love Emma Overman's whimsical, dark illustrations too (and she's super nice). The space is dominated by painters but there's also a glass blower (who gives lessons), jewelry makers, photographers, furniture makers, and other craftsmen. School children are able to display their work here as well. Probably the coolest find of the night was the guy who makes the Corkbo...a crossbow which shoots wine corks. They start at $90. We ended up buying a really rad praying mantis print in a gilded frame instead, but it was a tough decision! The night we were there 2 food trailers were parked out front: Duos and Mabel. We ate dinner before going because we didn't think there would be food there but we wished we would've waited! Not sure if there is always food available or if this was just because it was mandatory studio opening night. Also...make sure you can parallel park! The old Northside can be a bit of a tight squeeze.

    Moving walls

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    17 years ago

    check out Artur Silva here at the Harrison on first fridays...and buy something for pete sakes:)

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    Ask the Community - Harrison Center

    What time is First Friday? And what does it entail?

    6-9 PM but come and go as you please. There will be galleries and studios to explore throughout the building. Food trucks and cash bar are usually available.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Harrison Center

    A great place to bring young kids, groups of friends, or just a date night for the adults on First Friday.

    Mentioned in 17 reviews

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    Monster Gallery - The grand entrance, Larry Endicott's father-in-law and he made from solid roughe.

    Monster Gallery

    5.0(2 reviews)
    2.3 mi
    $$$

    Fountain Square artists Mab Graves and Larry Endicott transformed an old tavern building into an…read moreawe-inspiring home and gallery, now dubbed as Fountain Square's new 'Lo Brow' gallery. Hosting fabulous exhibits featuring works by Mab herself and Indianapolis artist Justin Cooper, Monster has drawn quite the crowd on a number of 'First Friday' events, my favorites so far being Mab's Pretending to Be Human exhibit over Halloween 2013. The exterior boasts a neon MONSTER sign and a grand door to entice all passersby. Details abound the interior as well, with swoon worthly rest rooms full of character - feauting the likes of Johhny Cash, complete with black toilet paper. Beverages and sweet treats are always on hand to welcome guests and cater to children (both literally and at heart) in attendance. Make a point to stop by and take in the fabulousness that is one of the best examples of the flourishing Fountain Square art scene. Pick up some exclusive original art or perhaps a button, card or print, but you're guaranteed to leave with a smile!

    Monster Gallery is the brainchild of the talented husband-wife duo, Mab Graves and Larry Endicott…read more While the majority of First Friday galleries are clustered right downtown, this beautiful brick building on the corner of English and State requires you to go off the beaten path a little. But, it is well-worth the trip. Despite the fact that fire destroyed the entire interior of the building, the exterior shell was all intact. Mab and Larry (with the help of some local friends) have restored this once decrepit tavern into a unique art showing space on the first floor and whimsical living quarters above. The gallery space is small to begin with, but it gets even tighter when the many fans of the artists come out to view their works. You can tell a place (and an artist) is popular by the line extending out of the front door and along the side walk. We didn't wait too long to get in though, so no worries there. The line from the door flows around the room clockwise and takes you past a couple walls of art and ends with a small counter for purchasing prints, gifts, trinkets, and of course any of the pieces you see on the walls. My only qualm with this layout is that the bar area is tucked in the way back and breaks up the flow of the gallery walls. You may have to squeeze past the throngs of art lovers to get to it. Monster Gallery serves beer and wine to the adult guests and there is often candy and treats for any little, aspiring artists who visit. Mab and Larry are both perfect hosts and will gladly have a chat with you about art, love, life, and the likes. There's a very large FREE parking lot just behind the building and there's always an open space.

    Photos
    Monster Gallery - Monster owners Mab Graves, artist and husband, photographer Larry Endicott. -IndyStar

    Monster owners Mab Graves, artist and husband, photographer Larry Endicott. -IndyStar

    Monster Gallery - Mab's creations

    Mab's creations

    Monster Gallery - Matching shoes? Lamont at Justin Cooper's First Friday, deja vu?

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    Matching shoes? Lamont at Justin Cooper's First Friday, deja vu?

    The Garfield Park Arts Center - Current exhibit shot.

    The Garfield Park Arts Center

    4.5(11 reviews)
    3.8 mi
    $

    I've got a couple friends who regularly have exhibits in shows at The Garfield Park Arts Center,…read morehowever, since I live in Lawrence I simply don't get down this way as often. I really should. The Garfield Park Arts Center, like the park itself, falls under Indy Parks. Originally built in 1922 as the "Community House," it was designed to look like a picnic shelter with enclosed walls, high ceilings, and fireplaces at each end. In 1930, a large swimming pool was located in the area that is now the parking lot. At that time, it was primarily used as a locker room and rec center area. In 1990, the pool was removed and replaced by the Aquatic Center that is now located at the Burrello Family Center. In 2006, the "Community House" was remodeled with a $2.7 million grant. It became the Garfield Park Arts Center. The 8,000 square foot facility now houses a multi-use performing arts space, exhibition hall, visual and production arts classrooms, a recording studio, a literary arts library, and a rehearsal room. The GPAC is big enough that it typically has multiple exhibits going. For example, right now there's a modern quilting show, a solo show by Jay Hamm, and a show by Christy Harp. GPAC hosts a variety of workshops and classes including current activities like voice and piano lessons, ceramics, and quite a few visual arts options including those specifically for children. The classes are way affordable - for example, there's a $10 rock painting class for kids. As someone who has a pet rock, I'm all for rock painting. GPAC also hosts summer camps and special events. The calendar is on their website. I'm particularly enchanted by a classic movie night. They've also assisted with some of the public art in Garfield Park. The art center tends to be open limited hours - for example, 1-5pm during the week. It does participate in First Fridays. I'm a big fan of Garfield Park and I'm a big fan of having access to the arts. I find this facility to be quite accessible and even more after their 2006 renovation. It's not perfect (no building of this age is), however, it's quite good. Prices are affordable and the center itself has a nice combination of nostalgia with contemporary comforts. Especially for those with kids who may enjoy the classes, GPAC is a definite winner.

    This is a great little arts center that always seems to have something going on. I went for a paint…read morepour class and found the price of $25 to be very reasonable. The class was small to, so you will receive one on one attention if needed. The gallery was also a nice experience before the class.

    Photos
    The Garfield Park Arts Center - The entrance

    The entrance

    The Garfield Park Arts Center - The gallery space.

    The gallery space.

    The Garfield Park Arts Center - Some work from their latest group show "Textured".

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    Some work from their latest group show "Textured".

    Harrison Center - galleries - Updated May 2026

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